Fluid pressure operated brake and adjustment therefor



June 10, 1947. J. NORSTROM ET AL 2,422,121

FLUID PRESSURE OPERATED BRAKE AND ADJUSTMENT THEREFOR Filed Aug. 10, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS Jasepfi ZVbnsLram y Ali/in 5.6372216 ATTORNEYS June 10, 1947. J. NORSTROM ET AL FLUID PRESSURE OPERATED BRAKE AND ADJUSTMENT THEREFOR Filed Au 10, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR S: Jase p6, [Vbrslrom y Alvin L. Jmz'lk ATTORNEYS June 10, 1947. J NQRSTROM ETAL 2,422,121

FLUID PRESSURE OPERATED BRAKE AND ADJUSTMENT THEREFOR Filed Aug. 10, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN V EN TOR S M Ma -W 44 ATTORNEYS June 10, 1947.

FLUID RRESSURE OPERATED BRAKE AND ADJUSTMENT THEREFOR I 'ull J. NORSTROM ET AL Filed Aug. 10, 1945 4 Sheets-She/t 4 INVENTOR 5 Josepfi Mrsl'raw W4, M v M ATTORNEYS Patented June 10, 1947 FLUID PRESSURE OPERATED BRAKE AND ADJUSTMENT THEREFOR Joseph Norstrom and Alvin L. Smith, Newburgh, N. Y., assignor to Muskegon Machine Company,

Newburgh, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application August 10, 1945, Serial No. 610,040

8 Claims.

This invention relates to fluid-pressure operated brakes and, more particularly, to adjusting mechanism therefor.

In braking apparatus, the clearance between the brake drum and the shoes which carry the brake lining is an important factor in obtaining an even torque. This is especially true of brakes in which the braking torque results from pressure exerted by expanding bellows or diaphragms on the respective brake shoes. When a very slight clearance is accurately maintained between the brake drum and the brake linings, the bellows movement may be kept to a minimum with the result that the wear of the bellows is considerably reduced and a more even torque is obtained. It is important that this clearance be quite accurately adjusted upon installation of the brake. Moreover, as the brake. linings are worn down, it is desirable to adjust the clearance between the linings and the drum to compensate for the lining wear.

With the apparatus of this invention, the clearance between the brake linings and the drum may be easily adjusted in a very short time without removing the brake drum or disassembling any parts of the brake mechanism. Consequently, the clearance between the brake drum and the linings may be periodically checked and easily adjusted to secure a minimum motion of the bellows. Moreover, the brake may be adjusted so that a uniform clearance is accurately maintained between eachbrake shoe and the drum even when a large number of brake shoes are utilized. One way of accomplishing this result is to utilize a two-section brake shoe assembly, the inner section receiving the pressure exerted by the bellows and transmitting this pressure to the outer section which is in contact with the brake drum. According to the invention, the spacing between such inner and outer sections may be readily adjusted by a relatively simple and improved form of mechanism, to thereby vary the clearance there-between. The brake shoe of the invention is of rugged and durable construction so that it will require little attention for proper maintenance.

Brake shoes, according to this invention, are also constructed so that they may be easily removed from the brake housing for relining or adjustment. When the shoe is removed, the other parts of the braking apparatus, such as the bellows, are readily accessible for inspection or removal.

Various other objects, features and advantages of the invention will clearly appear from the detailed description given below taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part of the specification and illustrating, by way of example, one form of apparatus which maybe used in carrying out the invention. The

invention resides in such novel features, arrangements, and combinations of parts as may be shown and described in connection with the apparatus herein disclosed.

In the drawings,

Fig. l is a view of the braking apparatus taken along the line II of Fig. 2; r

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view, partially in section, of braking apparatus, constructed in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 3 is a sectional elevational view of one {of the brake shoes;

Fig. 4 is an inverted plan view of the outer section of one of the brake shoes;

Fig. 5 is a sectional View taken substantially along the line 5-5 of Fig. 1;

Figs. 6 and 7 are plan views of the inner'section of the brake shoe showing the parts in different positions, respectively; and

Figs. 8 and 9 are somewhat diagrammatic views illustrating certain features of the invention.

One suitable form of brake assembly will firstbe described of a type adapted for various industrial purposes, and utilizing four of the adjustable brake shoe arrangements in accordance with the invention. However, it will be understood that the features of the invention may be used in connection with various other types of brake assemblies for a variety of-purposes. 7

Referring to the drawings in detail and particularly Figs. 1 and 2, the braking apparatus may comprise a base I9 which supports a suitable frame- Ii, having bearing blocks I2, I2 mounted thereon. A shaft I3, to which a braking torque may be applied in the manner hereinafter described, is journaled in the bearing blocks I2, I2 on bearings I4, I4, respectively. A sleeve I5 is secured to the shaft I 3 by suitable set screws, oneof which is shown at I6, Fig. 2, the sleeve I5 having a web IT formed integrally therewith which, in turn, is integral with a cylindrical brake drum I8.

A housing 19 is supported in any suitable manner as by members 20 which may be fixed to the frame I I and extend outwardly in a, generally radial direction with respect to the shaft I3. As is shown best in Fig. 1, the housing I9 substantially surrounds the brake drum I8 and is separated therefrom by clearance gaps as at ZI. The housing I9 is provided with an inlet as at 22 and an 4 A conduit 48 conducts the air to another sleeve 42 for the lefthand diaphragm. The third port of the three-way connection 45 is connected by a conduit 49 with the sleeve 42 for the right hand diaphragm, which, in turn, has a conduit 50 extending therefrom to the sleeve 42 for the bot- .tomzdiaphragm. .AccordinglYnthe air passes from asupplyiline 45 1into each .of .the sleeves 42 and thence through the 'pipes 4! into the respective vided to support any desired number of brake obellows 40.

shoes is in proximity to the inner surface of the brake drum 18. In the example shownythereeare four brake shoes S spaced at 90 degrees-around interiorly of the brake drum l8. EE'he brake shoe support may comprise aipair -of. -spacedlplate memlbers 3|, 3| disposed, respectively, radiacent opposite ends of the brake drum 1.8, Fig. 2. Each plate member 3| comprises a generally circular peripheral portion 32 which is closely spaced'with respect to the adjacent'inner surface or rim of .the'brake drum l8. .Blates 34am disposed-between the platememrbersii and 3 l ,eachplate. 34 being abrazed or .otherwise suitably secured to flanges .35, .Fig. .2, formed on .the ..plate .members s3l, re spec.tively. .=-The plates-34 form a passage .34 which. may be:substantiallysquare .in itrans- Lverse. section, the. shaft .l3:.extending throughthis passage. :Each. of the platemembers "3 I -is .apertured as indicated at 3l, thes.e aperturesihaving transverse configurations corresponding With that .of 1311.81 aforesaid passage .34 f

Accordingly, it will be-appa-rent that .the .brake .ShOBrSllIJ DOT'b .-3ll'- comprises the .platemember-sfi I .3-l-.a,nd;:plates 34 .which form a rig-iddmitary structure. Each of the .plates;34,TFig. =1, .is-adapted to support one .of the .brake .shoes .8 in desired closely spaced position relative to.the rinrofthe .brake drum 48 as ;will be .more .fully .described hereinafter. In order sto secure the .brake shoe support 30 -to the frame .I.l,:a sweb diivmay be .Eachpof ,the;plates-:34 supports a bellows. or dis.-

:phragm 4.0, Fig, '2, to which .-is .connectedra-p .pe All-extending athroughra :sleeve 4.2 mountedina suitable bore formed in .the central .portioniof ,thamijacent-p-late 34. .Each .pipei4 Iris provided =with a,=.plurality of hores= 43 which. communicate .with the interior of the surrounding sleeveillyand each-sIee-ve I-Z is,provided(wit'h a cap 44 to close the end thereof andprovide access-to cthetpipe .41 When-,thebrake drumhlflrand theJorake shoes Snare ,removed in --.the manner hereinafter described;. one ormoreofthe caps d4,1to which-access may he had, .after, removing theiorake. drum,-may she .removedwhereup on oneor-more oftthe bellows Aflqmayrbeliftedsout forreplacement or adjustment.

It will be apparent that the sleeves 42, which extend-through, the respective plates v.34, care located above-below andrat both. sides of the .sh aft l3, .Fig. 1, respectively. .Ainmay .besnpplied .to each of ithellbellows .through a supplylineAB which communicates with one port in a three-way ,con-nection :46. .A' conduit 41 .connects;a.-second port of the three-\way connection '46 with .the sleeveAZ for'the upper. diaphragm. (Figs, 1; andgZ).

It will be understood that the air supply may joe'icontrolled inany well known manner so that *the'bellows 40 may be inflated or deflated to the desired=extent when-operating the brake.

Gneeofthe brake shoes S is mounted on each :of tthefibellowsi'w,seach brake shoe S comprising an inner or shoe section 55 and an outer section or'braking section56, Fig. 3. The inner section 55.rnay c'omprise a fiat base 58, Figs, 6 and 7, which is adapted to rest upon the associated bellowsv 40. Wa11s as ;at A59 .extend .alongeachside .of-thebasgflandmay be integral therewith, each side wall 59 having taperedends as indicated at 603, :Fig. 3. :A .pair .of slidesliv l, 62 are mounted .betweenathetside -Walls .59, 5 9, .bothof saidislides resting ton and [being .movable. longitudinally .of -thebase 58. Thezfacingendsof theseslides are .cut .away .to 'form Urshaped -.and. oppositely directed .recesses -63, $63, mespectively, which .are symmetrical:witnrespect-tothe. side Walls .59, 59. .One 1 end .of a linkrfifi .is .pivoted tovslide J5 l as -.at .55, the-:othenendof link 64.being .,pi-voted..as.,at r66 ,to-a ,yokeJil which; is .pivoted .toth-e base 58 asatfifl.

.Oneend of. alink .69.is,pivoted.to..the.,slideLE2 .as at 10, .,th'e. other ,endof ilink -.6.9 being ,pivoted ,totthe yoke =61 .as at!!! vThefyokeli'l -is slotted as \at .L'Lto receivaapin .13 .which .is..'r'n'ounted..on .a ,nut .member =14, ..the ,lower surface of which rests.on thesyokecfifl. .A boreJ5eXtends trans-- versely through the nut member 1.4,this qbeing internally threadedtoireceivei anadjustingscrew .Idwhich is .-rotat.ably;mounted.in .theside walls .59. rSuch ad justingsscrewimay be provided with slottediheads at bothiends thereof toreceive .a

screwdriver or other suitable .tool. Assuming that ,the slides 461, P 6.2 uare :in the position .shown in :Fig.-- 6, the adjusting screw-l6 ;may he ;turned so -:as to -.move the nut =member 14 upwardly, thus swinging the -yok-e-6.-1 in ;-a counterclockwise direction, -:Fig. -6, and -mov.ing the slides -.,GI, .52 away from-each .-other .i1oward,p.ositionseaszshown .in,Fig'..7. Obviously, when the. adjusting screw &6 turned :so as :to shove .the nut member :14

' .downwardly, Fig: 7,.the ireuerseiactiontoceurs'and The :slide .51 has -.a pair-of integral ,parallel wedge-shapedrportions 80,: {formed-at. opposite sides thereof, respectively. Each #portion 847 ':has an inclined upper surface 8 I, Fig. 18, :andthese inclined surfacesaaretdisposedin acommon; plane. The iupper portion of :zeach :inclined surface :8! may,-if-.desired,-mer,ge intoiawshortghorizontalgportiom8l which is;-locat ed1atthe :GIId. of thexnember -80 -.nearest the yoke -:6-1. Another pair 101 wedge-shaped portions 82, 82 may beiformedginstegrallywiththeaslide fiizat:opposite'ssidesithereof, respectively. 'Themortions .82, -82 :havewinclined :surfaces 2&3, a855,:respectively, which may merge iintoihorizontaliaportions r83 at the-upper end atheleof. vThe xmeclg'ee-sh-aped members $5 and-:82 are onpositely directed and arerpreferably located the same distance from the adjacentside wall-59.

;' I,he outensectionridof each'brake ,shoe'sS comcessed-portion 98 of the rod 88.

prises anarcuate 'platel'segment 84 which has the same curvature as the rim of the brake drum I8,.Fig. 1. A brake lining 851 of'asbestoscomposition or other suitable material is secured to the outer surface of the plate segment 84 in any suitable manner. A sidewall 86' extends along each side of the arcuate plate 84 and may be formed integrally therewith; The side walls 88 are drilled at the middle thereofto form the respective slots 81, Fig; 5, within which is received a rod 88'extending transversely of the outer section 56. A leaf spring 89 fits in an annular recess 98 formed in the central portion of the bar 88, and the spring'89 is supported at each end thereof by a member 9| which is suitably secured to the arcuate segment 84 as by a screw 92. The spring 89 serves to retract the brake shoe from engagement with the drum as will be hereinafter described and said spring 89 also serves to prevent the rod 88 fromslidingtransversely of the outersection 58 when the spr ingengages the re- As shown in Fig. 3,' a passage 93 is formed in the brake llining 85 and arcuate segment 84, this passage being slightly offset with respect to the center of the brake shoe. A suitable tool may be inserted through this passage to depress the spring 89 and move same out of the recess 98 when it is desired to insert or remove the rod 88 for reasons hereinafter explained. y Referring to Fig. 4, a pair of portions I88, I 88 'may be formed integrally with the arcuate segment 84 at the left hand side of the brake shoe. The portions-I88 have inclined surfaces I8I, respectively, which are-adapted to engage the respective inclined surfaces 8| on the wedge-shaped portions 88. A pair of like portions I82, I82 may be formed integrally with the arcuate segment 84 at the right hand side of the brake shoe. Portions I82, I82 may be provided, respectively, with inclined surfaces I83, Fig. 8, which are adapted to engage the respective inclined surfaces 83:01.1 the, wedge-shaped members 82; e

As previously stated, one of the brake shoes S is supported upon each of the bellows 48, all of which, in turn, may be supported against the respective plates 34; Asshown best by Fig. 5, the inner section 55 of each brake shoe may be retained between the plate members 3I, 3| with the base 58 in contact with the outer surface of the bellows 48. The adjusting screw 16 on each brake shoe may be received in slots I85 which are formed in therespective plate members 3I.

The outer section 58 of each of the brake shoes is positioned and rests upon its complemental inner section 55 with the portions I88, I82, Fig. 8', in engagement with the wedge-shaped portions 88, -82,. respectiv'ely. When so positioned, the brake lining 85 is closely adjacent the brake drum I8, the clearance between the lining 85 and the drum I8, which is indicated at I85, (Fig. 1) preferably beingfrom about .005 inch toabout .008 inch. When the brake shoe outer sections 56 are positioned as described, the rod 88 of each brake shoe extends through suitable passages I81, I81 in the respective plate members 3|, so that each rod 88 is supported in fixed position relative to the brake shoe support 38.

Whenit is desired to reline or adjust one ,or more oi the brake shoes, the brake drum I8 is removed and a suitable tool is inserted through the passage 93, Fig. 3, to force the spring 89 downwardly out of engaement with the recessed portion of the rod 88. Thereupon, said rod88 may be moved out through the passages 81 and I81, Fig.

5, at either side of the brake shoe thus permitting the outer section 56 of the upper brake shoe to be lifted out; If desired, at this time, the inner brake shoe section 55 may be removed by' a mere lifting action to allow access to the' ass'ociated bellows. When the'desired adjustments have been made, the inner section 55" is again placed upon the bellows and the outer section 58 is placed in position'on top of the inner section 55. Thereupon, the spring 89 is again' depressed and the rod 88 may be replaced. The spring 89 is then released whereupon it snaps into engagement with the recessed portion 98 of the rod 88. Accordingly, it will be apparent that the upper brake shoe ma be Very easily and conveniently removed for adjustment or for relining. 'Obviously; the remaining brake shoes may be re movedin similar manner.

The operation of the brake will now be briefly described. It will be assumed that a bellows and a brake shoe are in position on each of the plates 34 and that the shaft I3 is rotating. Whenit is desired to apply a braking torque to the shaft, air under pressure is supplied to the air line 45-thus causing all of the bellows 48 to expand and press the respective brake linings against the interior of the drum I8 to thereby apply a braking torque to the shaft I3, each brake shoe moving radially outward against the pressure of the spring 89 associated therewith. When the bellows are deflated by exhausting the air from the line 45, the springs 89 retract the respective brake shoes whereupon the brake linings 85 are moved radially inward away from the brake drum and no braking torque is applied thereto. It will be apparent that the braking torque is applied over substantiallythe whole circumference of the drum I8 so that a very even braking'torque is obtained and excessive wear of the brake lining is avoided. If the temperature of the brake lining rises to approximately 500 F., the brake drum should be cooled in the manner hereinbefore described by passing air or other cooling fluid around the outer surface of the brake drum through the housing I9.

In accordance with the invention, the clear ance I86, Fig. 1, between the brake drum I8 and the respective brakeshoe S may be adjusted without removing the brake drum. This clearance may be readily and accurately adjusted when the brake is first installed and periodical adjustments may be made to maintain the optimum clearance between the brake shoe and the brake drum. The adjustment of the clearance I88 is effected by means of the adjusting screw 16 for each brake shoe S and the method of making such adjustments'will now be describedin detail. It will be assumed that the inner section 55 and outer section 56 of the upper brake shoe S are in the respective positions shown in Figs. 3 and 8 with the wedge-shaped portions 88 and 82 in contact with the portions I88 and I82, respectively. In thisposition, the distance between the middle of the base 58 and the'outer surface of the brake lining is indicated at D,

Fig. 8. The adjusting screw 16, Fig. 6, may be :l 02; Fig. i 9,: movedownwardly; :since; the surfaces ofportions: 80' andLBZ slide inwardly. 'Tliereupon, the; brake-lining: 85'; moves-away from the =brake and the clearance: I 06? is increased.

In this manner,. "a very fine adjustment may obtained of the clearance between the brake shoesand the drum and thisclearancemay'b'e :kept. to the minimun'r so thatrthe expanding' movement of thebellows iszconiinedwithin nar+ row'zlimits. It will be. further apparent: that: a uniform clearance may be accuratelymaintained bet weenzeach brake shoe and the brakefirum: so that aiveryeven braking: torque may-be obtained; Moreover, the adjusting: screws are readily acces sible from either endrofi thebrake so that this clearance may be-adjust'ed withoutremoving the brake drum or disassembling the brake *in'any manner. The correct clearance lmibetweenat'he brakelining- -8 '-a-nd the brake drum" I 8' may be conveniently obtained by" temporarily inserting asliim having a thickness corresponding to the desired clearance. V Y 1' It will further'be apparent that the. brake is of.- a very rugged" and. durable construction requiring only low maintenance costs, Also, the only moving parts of the brake which require lubricationarethe threads on-the adjusting screw 1.6 and nut-member 14. Bymaking periodic adjustments to. maintainithe proper clearance be tween the brake shoesand the brake drum; the life of each bellows is-eX-tended and same will only n'eedto be replaced at infrequent intervals.

"Whilethe: invention has been described with respect to a" certain-particular preferred example which gives satisfactory. results, itwill be understoed=by thoseskilled in-the art after understanding, the inventiomzthat various changes andmodifications' may bev made without departing from the spirit and-scope-of the invention audit is intendedtherefore in-t-h'e appended claims-to cover allisuch changesand-modifications; V

What'is-claimed' asnew' and desired to in secured by Letters Patentis:

1r In a: brake construction; a brake shoe com prising anouter section having abrake lining adaptedto engageabr-ake drum, an inner: section having a pressure-receiving: surface, a leaf spring mounted on said outer section, said brake shoe being formed to-receive a longitudinally slidable with respect to the brake shoe, saidouter section and said brake lining being shaped to form a passage. through: which a tool may be inserted te-move said leaf spring out-of said annular recess so that the rodmay be: removed. .2. ln a fluidpressure operated brake having a bi akadrum, meansfor supporting abrake shoe in operative relation with respectto said drum,

said brakeshoe having anarcuate surface. of

substantially the same curvature as said brake drum, fluidpressure operated'means formoving said shoe-toward thedrum'so as to apply a-brakingttorque tosaid drum, a pair of slide-members mounted. on saidfiuid pressurev operated means,

said slide members comprising wedges for cooperating with said shoe to move the latter toward or away from said drum, wedge portions. on'said the associated brake lining and thebrakedrum '65 shoesforycooperatingiwithsaid:siidieemembersiqa yokezmounted'upon .sai'difluids pressure operated means intermediate said slide: members, .means operatively connecting saidiyoke to: saidvslifie members; and means'for controlling the angular position-of saidiyoke whereby said slider-members may be moved toward or away from'ioneanother to vary the distance rb'etween:1=sai'dshoef andsai'd fluid pressure-operatedrmeans: L l

3; In a brake construction; a brake shoe comprising; an inner section having; a: pressure ere ceiving surface, apair of slide-members mounted upon said surface, each. of said slide members comprising a wedge, the wedges on-saidmembers being oppositely directed, a yoke-member: pivot: ally mounted on said.- press-urie. receiving; surface intermediate said slide--members; apairpf: links operatively associated; each with-v an opposite ex tremity of said yokemember and interconnecting said'yoke member-t withrespective of saidislide members, an adjusting screw having a traveling nut thereon, said; nut: being operativelyassoei-.' ated with said yoke;zsaidrscrewbeingaccessible from the side of said.- shoe and mounted; upon said pressure receivingsurfa cef-and adaptedior controlling the angular position of. saidryoke;

said brakeshoe further comprising ancutersection having a braking surf-aceadapteel to engage a: brake drum,said outer section-havinggwedge members adaptedirespectively toengage the oping a plurality of sets of wedging portions ayoke a member pivotally mounted intermediate said wedging portionsglinks operatively interconnecting opposite extremities of saidyok'e. t'oJrespem tive of said wedgingportionsa threadedfadiusting. member having a nut thereon. operatively.

connected to saidyoke whereby angularadjust-- ment of said threadedmember. the distanoe between said wedging portions may be increased or I decreased saidthreadedadiusting, member being accessible from the side of said brake shoeeacli of said brake shoes further comprisingian outer section movable towardjthe brake drumfwith said inner section, each of said outer sections come-v prisingabrake lining adapted to. engage and apply a braking torque tosaid brake drum, aplurality of wedge members adapted respectively to engage said sets-of wedging portions onithe asso: ciated inner. section; so that angular motion of the threaded adjusting member on each brake? shoe. is effective to adjust the r clearancebetween 5; In a, brake construction, a'brake shoe cornprising an outer sectionthavi'ng abrake lining adapted to engage a brake drunu an inner section having a pressure receiving surface, alea'f sprin 7 mounted on, said outer section, said.'lriral'reshoebeing formed to receive a' longitudinally s'lidable supporting rod, said rod beinguprovided' witlna recess. adapted to receive said lea f'springitolock the rod inv fixed transyersepositibn'with respect to the brake shoe, said. outer section, and. said bra-lie lining, being shaped jtoformr ajpess gg V through which a tool may be inserted to disengage said spring from said recess so that the rod may be removed.

6. In a fluid pressure operated brake having a brake drum, four or more brake shoes substantially equally angularly spaced, a support for maintaining said brake shoes in operative relation with respect to said drum, each of said brake shoes comprising an inner section adapted to be moved toward the brake drum, a plurality of wedge members slidably mounted upon said inner section, a yoke member pivotally mounted upon said inner section, means for operatively interconnecting said yoke and said wedge members, said means being so constructed and arranged that angular motion of the yoke moves said wedge members relative to said inner section, a threaded adjusting member operatively associated with said yoke for controlling the angular position thereof, said threaded adjusting member being accessible from the side of said brake shoe, each of said brake shoes further comprising an outer section movable toward the brake drum with said inner section, each of said outer sections comprising a brake lining adapted to engage said brake drum, a like plurality of wedge engaging members mounted upon said outer section and adapted respectively to engage said wedge members on the associated inner section, so that angular adjustment of the threaded adjusting member on each brake shoe is eifective to adjust the clearance between the associated brake lining and the brake drum.

7. In a brake construction, a brake shoe comprising an outer section having a brake lining adapted to engage a brake drum, an inner section having a pressure receiving surface, the sides of said outer section being slotted to receive slidably a supporting rod, the ends of said rod normally extending outwardly from the sides of said brake shoe, a leaf spring normally operable to lock said rod in fixed transverse position with respect to the brake shoe and manually releasable to permit removal of said rod, said spring being adapted for resiliently urging said outer section toward said inner section, a pair of slide members mounted on said inner section, said slide members comprising wedges for cooperating with said outer section, wedge portions on said outer section for cooperating with said slide members, means for controlling the relative position of said slide members whereby in cooperation with said spring said outer section is movable away from or toward said inner section, said leaf spring being effective yieldingly to retract the brake shoe from the brake drum when no braking torque is being applied to said brake drum.

8. In a brake construction, a brake shoe comprising an outer section having a brake lining adapted to engage a brake drum, an inner section having a pressure receiving surface, the sides of said outer section being slotted slidably to receive a supporting rod, a leaf spring normally operable to lock said rod in a fixed transverse position with respect to the brake shoe and manually releasable to permit removal of said rod, said leaf spring engaging said rod and said outer section yieldingly to urge said outer section toward said inner section, wedge means mounted upon said inner section and adapted for movement relative thereto whereby said outer section is movable toward or away from said inner section in response to said relative movement of the wedge means and in response to the yielding action of said leaf spring, the latter being effective to retract the brake shoe from the brake drum when no braking action is applied to said brake drum.

JOSEPH NORSTROM. ALVIN L. SMITH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,780,200 Linderman Nov, 4, 1930 2,155,221 Farmer Apr. 18, 1939 

